What Effect does European Haulage have on our Environment?

In recent weeks, it has been brought into question whether the EU is a global leader in Climate Diplomacy. It has been brought to light that the EU still adopts an outdated vehicle emissions test. This doesn’t look great when put together with their extremely slow pace when introducing new CO2 regulation to minimise the ever growing road freight emissions. Road freight trucks only make up for 5% of vehicles on the road in the EU; however, they contribute 25% of the emissions from road transport. Freight trucks consume ten times more fuel per kilometre when compared to passenger vehicles.

How does the EU look to fix this emission disaster?

Well the EU has developed a simulation tool called VECTO which will measure the emissions of new vehicles. It will be used as the basis of drafting legislation proposal which will be finalised by the end of the year. Fuel consumption could be cut by trucks if manufacturers applied design improvements and low resistant tires. The lower fuel consumption of trucks will lead to less road freight emissions

Is electric the Future of Freight?

Mercedes-Benz and Daimler Trucks launched an electric truck called ‘Urban eTruck’ which at the moment is just a prototype, but it is capable of doing 200 kilometres a day. Other manufacturers have announced that they will be looking to develop electrical, heavy duty Vehicles. So what other benefits are there of having electrical powered freight trucks? The electric trucks are cheaper to run when compared to petrol trucks. This will help anyone who uses European haulage companies since they will most likely pass these savings on to their customers. Reduced noise pollution is also a benefit which comes with electrical powered trucks. This will get rid of one of the main externalities of the use of trucks. This will decrease the social cost of trucks running on the road.